Desk



E. H. HUPP April 18, 1939.

DESK

29, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

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April 18, 1939.

E. H. HUPP DESK Filed Dec. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTORS Patented Apr. 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DESK Application December 29, 1938, Serial No. 248,170

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in desks. The main objects of this invention are: First, to provide a desk structure which is very strong and has adjustable parts for leveling or removing the sag or bowing which may occur in the top.

Second, to provide a flat top desk which is attractive in appearance and at the same time very strong and rigid, even when embodied in a large desk.

Third, to provide a desk having these advantages, and also comprising sets of'drawers at each end, having legs only at the end of the desk, the drawer pedestals or stacks being effectively supported to prevent sagging from the loads carried thereby.

Fourth, to provide a desk structure having these advantages which is simple and economical in structure and easily adjusted to eliminate sagging resulting from use.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A desk Which embodies the features of the invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view of a desk embodying the features of the invention partially in longitudinal section on line ll of Figs. 3 and l.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing details of the structure, particularly the mounting of the longitudinal bar which serves as a combined tie and truss bar.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section from front to rear on a line corresponding to line l-4 of Fig. 1 with the drawers and extension or writing board partially withdrawn.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section on the broken line 5-42 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the longitudinal bar with its securing clips mounted thereon.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view of a modified form or embodiment of the screw adjusting means for the longitudinal bar.

My present invention relates to the fiat type desk having sets of drawers at either side of a central knee space. Quite commonly such desks are provided with legs or supports for the drawer sections or pedestals at the inner side thereof as well as the outer side, or the drawer sections themselves have supporting bases. Certain desks have been designed in which legs are provided only at the ends of the desk but such desks are inclined to sag or bow particularly after being used and subjected to the loads of use and the loading of the drawers. In my improved desk such sagging or distorting is minimized and means are provided for removing the same if it should occur.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings the top I is conventionally shown although it will be understood that it may be of any suitable material, either wood or metal. I provide end members or units consisting of the legs 2 arranged at the corners of the desk and connected by the bottom cross pieces 3 and also, in the embodiment illustrated, by the cross pieces 4 which serve as drawer ledges. The end panel 5 is built into the end member so that in effect it constitutes a part thereof and a bracing and strengthening element. The details of securing these parts together are not illustrated as suitable securing means are well-known in the cabinet or furniture making art.

The longitudinal bar 6 extends between the end cross pieces 3 with its ends in abutting relation thereto and this constitutes a combined tie rod and truss member as will appear as the description proceeds.

The end cross pieces 3 are provided with angled brackets 1 having downwardly facing slots 8 in the arms thereof, these brackets being secured in spaced relation to each other so as to receive the ends of the bar 6 between them, see Figs. 2 and 3. At the sides of the bar 6 I secure the angled brackets or clips ii having upwardly facing slots l0 providing finger-like projections ll engaged within the brackets i when the bar 6 is pushed upwardly with the slots of the clips and brackets in register. These fingers are preferably shaped or inclined so that they draw the cross bars into firm abutting relation to the ends of the tie bar and the co-engaging brackets and clips prevent any outward movement of the end members of the desk.

I provide strut elements designated generally by the numeral E2 in the embodiment illustrated, and these constitute the inner drawer pedestal members which are spaced from the end members and spaced from each other, the spacing from each other providing the leg room of the desk. The inner pedestal members as illustrated comprise the bottom cross members [3, the vertical panels It, the vertical bars M which engage the under side of the center cross piece l5 which dis is in turn connected to the panel l4, and the corner uprights l5 which also enter into the strut element, so that I have a truss structure comprising broadly the top, the end members, the inner drawer pedestal members, which as stated constitute the strut elements, and the combined tie rod and truss bar ii. The inner pedestal member is provided with drawer slides I! which also serve to reinforce the strut elements. The drawers are shown at 18. Top slides 19 are also provided and their supporting ledges constitute parts of the end members and the inner drawer pedestal members, the end members constituting the outer drawer pedestal members. A central drawer 20 is mounted on suitable slides shown at 2|. A central panel 22 extends from the cross piece 55 to the longitudinal bar and it in turn may be attached so as to constitute a bracing element.

To vertically adjust the bar 6 I provide in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 U shaped stirrups or hangers 23 which are preferably secured to the cross piece by means of the screws 25 which serve to secure the bracket 1. These stirrups carry the adjusting screws 26 engaging the bottom of the bar 6 so that by manipulating these screws the bar may be vertically adjusted and, owing to the supporting relation thereof to the inner pedestal or strut elements described, any bowing or sagging of the top may be eliminated. Proper adjustment when the desk is constructed tends to minimize the liability of the desk sagging or its top bowing. The end members of the desk are effectively tied together so that the lower ends of the end members cannot swing out or spread under load. provided with bottoms 21. which have openings therein permitting manipulation of the screws 26.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 7 the means for adjusting the bar 6 comprise the hooked bolts 29, the hooks 36 of which are engaged in holes or slots 3i in the cross piece 3. Nuts 32 on the bolts engage the bottom of the bar and adjustment of the nuts secures the same result as the adjustment of the screws 26.

I have illustrated and described very practical embodiments of my invention. I have found that structures embodying my invention may be produced very economically, are strong and rigid even when made of comparatively light material, and, should sagging or bowing of the top result or sagging of the drawer pedestals result, the truss bar may be easily adjusted to restore the parts to the desired position.

I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain other modifications or adaptations which I contemplate as I believe this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie bar extending between said end cross pieces in abutting relation thereto, inner drawer pedestal members spaced from said end members and from each other and comprising bottom cross pieces and upright members associated with said longitudinal bar and top to constitute strut elements, and means for supporting and vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar comprising angled brackets secured on the inner sides of said end The drawer units are member cross pieces and having downwardly facing slots therein, angled clips secured to the sides of said longitudinal bar and having upwardly facing slots receiving said brackets and having interlocking engagement therewith, and U shaped stirrups secured to said end member cross pieces and extending below said longitudinal barand provided with thrust screws engaging the bottom of said bar whereby it may be vertically adjusted.

2. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie bar extending between said end cross pieces, inner drawer pedestal members spaced from said end members and from each other and comprising bottom cross pieces and upright members associated with said longitudinal bar and top to constitute strut elements, and means for supporting and vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar comprising brackets secured on the inner sides of said end member cross pieces, clips secured to the sides of said longitudinal bar and having interlocking engagement with said brackets on said end cross pieces, and screw means for vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar.

3. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie bar extending between said end cross pieces, inner drawer pedestal members spaced from said end members and from each other and comprising bottom cross pieces and upright members associated with said longitudinal bar and top to constitute strut elements, and means for supporting and vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar.

4. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie bar extending between said end cross pieces in abut.- ting relation thereto, strut elements spaced. from said end members and from each other and operatively associated with said longitudinal bar and top, and means for supporting and vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar comprising brackets secured on the inner sides of said end member cross pieces, clips secured to the sides of said longitudinal bar and having interlocking engagement with said brackets on said end cross pieces, and U-shaped stirrups secured to said end member cross pieces and extending below said longitudinal bar and provided with thrust screws engaging the bottom of said bar whereby it may be vertically adjusted.

5. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie bar extending between said end cross pieces in abutting relation thereto, strut elements spaced from said end members and from each other and operatively associated with said longitudinal bar and top, and means for supporting and vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar comprising brackets secured on the inner sides of said end member cross pieces, clips secured to the sides of said longitudinal bar and having interlocking engagement with said brackets on said end cross pieces, and threaded means for vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar.

6. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie 'bar extending between said cross pieces and secured thereto to permit vertical adjustment, strut elements spaced from said end members and from each other and operatively associated with said longitudinal bar and top, and means for vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar.

'7. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie bar extending between said end cross pieces and connected thereto to permit vertical adjustment, inner drawer pedestal members spaced from said end members and from each other and associated with said longitudinal bar and top to constitute strut elements, and bolts carried by said end cross members for vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar.

8. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie bar extending between said end cross pieces and connected thereto to permit vertical adjustment, strut elements spaced from said end members and from each other and operatively associated with said longitudinal bar and top, and bolts carried by said end cross members for vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar.

9. In a desk, the combination of a top, top supporting end members including legs and a cross piece connecting said legs, a longitudinal bar constituting a combined truss and tie bar extending between said end cross pieces and connected thereto to permit vertical adjustment, strut elements spaced from said end members and from each other and operatively associated with said longitudinal bar and top, and means carried by said end cross members for vertically adjusting said longitudinal bar.

ELMER H. HUPP. 

